What is the Agnus Dei in the Roman Catholic Communion rite?

In the Roman Catholic Communion rite, the Agnus Dei (Latin for "Lamb of God") is a liturgical chant sung by the congregation while the priest breaks the bread.12

The text of the chant is: "Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us! Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us! Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant us peace!"1

This prayer occurs between the Lord’s Prayer and the distribution of Holy Communion. It serves to sound themes of adoration and sacrifice, uniting the liturgy to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. By invoking the title used by John the Baptist, the rite also recalls the sacrificial lamb of the Old Testament and the Paschal lamb of the Passover.123